Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-07
BEECHER DYING.
HE is SUDDENLY STRICKEN WITH
APOPLEXY.
Extent of His IIness-GraduaIly
Failing-His End only Ques-
ton of Time.
SPECIAL By rELEeEArH TO THE REoonD-UsIoN.l /

ESPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO THE REcuRD-USIoS.l I
NEW York March 5th.-The Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher has had stroke of apoplexy
and now lies unconscious. While hoping
that the attack may not prove fatal, great
fears are entertained by his family and
friends that his labors as pastor in this
world have ended. Beecber resides with
his son, Colonel Henry Beecher, at the cor
ner of Hicks and Clark streets, Brooklyn.
A son-in law, who is in the West, another
in San Francisco, and Mrs. Scofeld, his
daughter, have been telegraphed for. Col
onel Beecher has also telegraphed for his
son, who isirf Yale college. Colonel Beech
er and his brother. ex-Assistant District
William c. Beecher. with his
wife and Mrs. Beecher, were at the bedside
of the great clergyman all day to-day.
They were completely overcome with grief
at his condition. he has always been in
such good health, and was apparently so
hale for his age, that they could hardly re-
helpless condition. His attack came on so
AbAe lilo niAO cAAA SOl4
TO realize
THE FULL EXTENT OF HIS ILLNESS.
Between 2 and o'clock Yesterday morn
ing Mr. Beecher awakened, complained of
being sick. and his wife arose to get some
thing for him to drink He began to yomit
freely, and then lay back upon his pillow
exhausted. In short time he
fell asleep. Mis-. Beecher concluded that
he would feel better in a few hours The
first breakfast bell.rang but did not awaken
him. The second bell also passed un-
needed. Mrs. Beecher had been up for
some time and did not wish to disturb him.
Becoming alarmed, she made an attempt
to arouse him, but could.not DO so. she
called her son and daughter in law, and
they tried to arouse him. He tried TO
speak but his voice was thick and his artic-
ulation indistinct.
DIR. w. S. SeaTle, the family physician,
was called in and he pronounced Mr.
Beecher quite i'll, but did not apprehend
any immediate danger. During the day
Mr.. Beecher seemed to improve and hopes
were entertained that he would rally. His
medicine was given regularly, and every
change was noted. This morning he ap-
peared TO be worse, and it was decided to
eall'Dr w. A. Hammond, OF New York, in
with DR. Searle. Before noon
Mr.. Beecher lapsed into Inconsistencies.
and was in that condition when Dr. Ham
mond reached the house. DR.. Hammond
pronounced him
IN A CRITICAL CONDITION.
He thought, though, that as the patient
was naturally a strong man, he might rally,
and he assured the family that there was
some hope. He left shortly after 2 O'Clock.
Colonel Beecher said tonight that his
father did not seem to suffer any pam, and
when reused seemed to recognize him
and Mrs. Beecher. but his articulation was
too indistinct to besunderstood. DIR. Ham,
mond was called as an expert on brain
troubles. The family, Colonel Beecher
said, at first thought the attack was bilious
ness.
1t was decided to issue hourly bulletins
to inform anxious friends of Mr.. Beecher's
condition.
AT II o'clock tonight Mr.. Beecher was
slightly better and appeared to be less
drowsy. Rev. DIR. Talmage and all the
prominent members of Beecher's church
called at the house. Mr.. Beecher. by point
ing to his head, indicated that he was suf-
fering there. Most of the time his pulse
was 10S respiration 80. and temperature
100. DR.. Searles said that no more bulle-
tins would be issued tonight. unless Mr..
Beecher was found to be dying. He did
not think there would be any change be-
fore morning. AT IL O'Clock the house was
closed.
BEEcHER's LITERARY LABoRs.
For the last month or to Beecher has
been busily engaged in writing the second
volume of his Life of Christi He has
been closely confined at his work, as he
wished TO finish it for publication in the
early summer. He has not been away from
his house since his return from Europe,
except to run up to Peekskill and his conn
try seat for day at time. On Sunday
last he preached two remarkably vigorous
on Tuesday he went to Peekskiil
ana returned on Wednesday. He had q
slight headache, but thought nothing of it.
He worked throughout the day on his book
and went out in the evening with Mrs
Beecher. Thursday the two came over to
New York together TO buy furniture for the
church parlor. After day in the city they
home. AT supper he ate six roast
clans and retired about 10 o'clock EARLY
Friday morning began his illness. Colonel
Beecher visited the siekroom tonight and
was recognized by his father. A trained
nurse has been engaged TO take care of
him.
Much excitement was caused in Book
lyn by the announcement OF Beecher's i'll
ness. Immense crowds gathered near the
house and read the bulletins, and all
through the evening prominent citizens
were calling and leaving cards at the door
a policeman was stationed in front of the
house TO keep the crowd away. Beecher is
over 10 years of age,
THE PEOPLE EAGERLY LOOKING FOR Bull
LETISs.
NEW YORK, March 6th.-Long before
daylight this morning it was noticed that
many more people were on the streets than
vas usual IN the vicinity of Beecher's resi-
lenee. and by o'clock there was quite
,rowd eagerly looking for the first bulletin
At 8 o'clock the following bulletin was
ssued: Beecher is about the same No
,hange since last night" The first bulletin
vas signed by Dr. w. S. Searles, the
3eecher family physician, and as it was
posted on the door-post, the people crowded
he stoop to read it. There was feeling
# thankfulness plainly visible ON their
that the life of the illustrious
iivine was still spared, and as day advanced
he throng on the sidewalks of Clarke and
Hicks streets rendered the streets almost
In the crowd were people of
very station, from the millionaire to the
tradesmanand the poor laborer,
EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY AND CONDO
LENcE.
The expressions of sympathy and condo
ence that were heard on all sides were an
,ther powerful ulindieation off the high esteem
n which the Plymouth pastor was held by
Ill classes. During the morning scores of
carriages drove past the house, and the
occupants Of many of them alighted and
walked up to the bulletin, and then de-
,arted, while others left their cards with
he attendant Those who were intimately
acquainted were admitted into the house
md made inquiries concerning the patient
but the immediate family were
Illowed in the sick chamber. There was.
however, an exception made in the case of
Rev. De Witt Taimage, who called with
lis daughter Edith. about 1:30, and he was
omitted into Mr.. Beechers presence. Fif-
cen minutes later Talmage left the house
md other callers were mostly city officials
& New York and Brooklyn.
HE IS GRADUALLY FAILING.
About 10 o'clock this morning DE-. Ham,
nond arrived at the house, and an hour
ater the following bulIetin was posted
Professor w. Hulmuth, of New York, in
freely confirms tbs opinion of
be physicians that Beecher IS gradually
ailing. He may, however, live for some
lays" That all hope was given up was
Mainly indicated by this bulletin, and the
emsrk Of Rev. Dewitt Talmage, 1t is
Tery serious" as be passed out.
AFFECTING scsNEs Az THE CHURCHES.